Thunder Road Motorcycles and Accessories!

There’s no doubt that gasoline prices are now at record highs and may go even higher if some industry experts are to be believed. (How far is that three or four dollar gallon of gas getting you now)? What better time to shop for a motorcycle that is not only energy efficient, but fun to drive too!

Thunder Road Motorcycles and Accessories is a relatively new business that has re-opened after being closed for the winter. It’s located at 13159 US Highway 160 which is just past Highway H. I stopped there this date and was amazed to find a super clean showroom loaded with bikes as well as other gear such including helmets shirts and pants.

While I was there I met a gentleman named David Jacobs who was nice enough to show me around. David knows his stuff and has worked on bikes for many years. He explained to me that not only do they sell cycles, but they also service them at that location! That was a big plus in my book. He also mentioned that they plan to carry metrics which are often much less expensive than the Harley line. I noticed he had a nice V-Rod for sale which looked to be in excellent condition as were all the used bikes on display that day.

If you have time, be sure and stop by to say hi to Kenneth and to look around. Thunder Road can be reached by calling 417-546-2453.

Update: After trying to reach this venue in March 2013, I found the number to be disconnected! Also, a friend informed me that the business had apparently closed.

Pictured at right is a 2007 V-Rod that appears to be in excellent condition. 

Primo’s Pizza and Pasta! A great place to meet and eat!

Located at 17447 Hwy 160 (right next door to Park Place Market) in Forsyth Missouri, Primo’s Pizza and Pasta offers the diner a quaint and cozy hideaway that has room for more than twenty hungry patrons. This dine in/carry out/delivery eatery features a full menu which includes appetizers, salads, tomato-basil wraps, chicken clubs, toasted subs, wings and pasta of course! Everything is fresh, tasty and affordable.

On a visit in the near future, I plan to put off my diet for a day and will order one of their specialty pizzas. I think I’ll go for the Supreme pizza which comes with generous helpings of pepperoni, sausage, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives. (This being just one of an entire line of specialty pizzas, each with different toppings designed to suit almost any taste). In addition to the choice of toppings, you can specify the type of crust you want; be it thin, New York hand tossed or deep dish ($1 extra). On that day, I plan to order the deep dish version as it reminds me of pizzas I used to eat while living in Chicago.

Primo’s can be reached by calling 417-546-0591 and they also have a Facebook presence. Be sure to stop by,say hi and tell'em DanO sent ya!

Update: This business is closed as of Nov 2011.

Will this café re-open soon?

That’s the rumor I keep hearing although I have not confirmed it as of yet. Like many towns in the area, Rockaway Beach has suffered a little from the depression that swept the United States in 2008 and which continues to deepen in 2011 on the heels of rising energy costs.

Still, it would be great to see this place re-open under new management.

Update: July 2011 - The White River Grill opens for business - See blog.

Just another leak or a sign of more problems to come?

This leak, which occurred recently by a water meter in the Valley View Village housing complex, was very close to the site of another similar leak that occurred last year. The question that came to my mind was whether this was just a coincidence or does it hint at an aging infrastructure.  Could the water pipes that lie underground become the source of increasing problems as time passes by? I’m guessing that the current underground system is thirty or more years old. That’s about the time I understand Valley View came into being. The pipes are metal whereas newer systems use PVC. If that’s the case, how long will the metal last before rust becomes a problem? I’m not sure.

This area, in which I live, is also the site of a sewer installation project. Last fall, I was told that the time line for installation of sewer lines to replace the septic systems now in use would be somewhere within twelve months or so. Problem is I haven’t seen much in the way of progress and it already mid April. Perhaps everything will all get done in a couple of months towards the end of the year.

The Angel Inn in Branson Missouri!

My first impression of the Angel Inn, which is located at 2350 Green Mountain Drive in Branson Missouri was one of cleanliness combined with efficiency. The are over a hundred rooms at this location. Offering everything from small singles to large suites. The Lobby is nice and professional and has an eating area with indoor pool and Jacuzzi. My stay there happened to coincide with the kind of beautiful weather you can only get in the spring here in Southwest Missouri. Seventies, sun and light breezes make for a nice day no matter where you happen to be staying. It’s just nicer when you happen to find a well run and clean hotel.

The location places this hotel very close to all the action without all the sounds of traffic during the busy season. It is only a few blocks from Thousand Hills Golf course and one block from the Grand Palace and Andy Williams Moon River Theater. There is a Panera Bread restaurant almost across the street and the Jubilee Grocery store is a half block away. Interestingly, Green Mountain Drive runs more or less parallel  the Highway 76 (aka The Strip), so you can maneuver pretty quickly from one side of town to the other without getting caught in the gridlock that is 76 most days and evenings. That’s makes a person’s visit much less traumatic, take my word for it.

The one flaw I found was the noise you have to endure if you stay in a room next to the numerous stairwells. As people come and go, the entire room I was staying in shook. A problem that was exacerbated by one overweight and flabby idiot who decided that the stairs were his personal exercise machine. He routinely ran up and down three flights of stairs for twenty minutes at a time, shaking the entire building as he did so. (I thought to tell him that he may be headed for a major coronary, but decided that the world has enough people in in already). The problem with sound could be minimized by placing all weather carpet on the landing and stairs. You’d think someone would have thought of that when the place was built.

Like most of the hotels here, check in time is 3:00 PM and checkout is 11:00 AM in the morning. Pool hours are from &AM to 11PM with a complimentary breakfast served from 6:30AM to 9:30 AM daily. I stayed here for two days and give it a solid D overall.  While it is not a bad place overall, the noise thing was a definite turnoff.

Adventure Ziplines of Branson Missouri

What combines the feel of flying with the excitement of bungie jumping? Ziplining, of course. Adventure Ziplines of Branson located at 501 North Wildwood Drive has to be seen to be believed. If you’ve never tried zip lining before and are the kind of individual that loves an adrenalin rush, this just might be for you!

Once you arrive at the facility which is now in its second year. You’ll be greeted by an experienced and certified staff that will teach you everything you need to know about Ziplines. Then, after a quick ride on an ATV, you’ll ascend a 65 foot spiral staircase from which you will soar from tower to tower with a few rope bridges thrown in  for added excitement. Want even more excitement? The facility does night runs! Earthbound guests can watch intrepid zipliners from the comfort of the climate controlled guest center.

Call Jared Story, the general manager, at 417-239-3030 to make reservations and to ask questions. They can also be found on the net at AdventureZiplinesofBranson.com. Me? I’ll stay on the ground taking pictures!

Bridge project in Branson proving to be difficult for some businesses!

I had a chance to stop in at a local grocery store for the first time recently located in Branson Missouri at 416 South 2nd Street. I used to drive by this place every day on my way from work when I headed  from Branson to Forsyth via the old bridge. The place is known as the Apple Market and today I had the chance to shop there. I was very impressed with the overall layout and pricing of the food offered there.

It’s unfortunate that with the turnaround bridge project for the Branson Landings now in full swing the access to the road has been temporarily cutoff. While this situation will not last forever, it will make survival of this and other businesses along South 2nd street very difficult. If you live in the Branson area and if you would like to see this family owned business survive, I would urge everyone to give them some business. The mega food grocery chains are doing great right now, it’s the little family owned shops that need us through these difficult times.